Michael Skloff, a 1977 Cheltenham High School graduate, is a musical composer, conductor, arranger, and accompanist best known for co-writing the iconic theme song “I’ll Be There For You” for the popular television sitcom “Friends.”  

According to TMZ.com, the song has had over 1.3 million streams across Spotify and YouTube since actor Matthew Perry’s death on October 28.

The track is sung by the pop rock duo “The Rembrandts” and won multiple ASCAP awards as well as an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Main Title Theme Music in 1995. According to IMDb.com, Michael’s wife, Marta Kauffman, was a co-creator of the series as well as a co-writer of the theme song.

Skloff won his first Emmy in 1991 for Outstanding Achievement in Main Title Theme Music for “Dream On.”

He received his bachelor’s degree (BFA) in Music Composition from Carnegie-Mellon University and went on to achieve a Performer-Composer master’s degree (MFA) from California Institute of The Arts.

According to local historian Chuck Langerman, Skloff was in Cheltenham High’s band and orchestra, and was active in the school’s theatrical productions as well.

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